Methods and system for providing location-based communication services

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided for providing location-based communication services, such as location-based chat sessions and location based-data feeds. Access to a chat session or data feed may be provided to a user of a mobile device when the current location of the mobile device is determined to be within a predetermined geographic region. In one implementation, the chat session or data feed relates to content provided by members of a group or social network. In other implementations, the content related to chat session or data feed is provided by members of the general public.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to electronic communicationnetworks and services. More particularly, and without limitation, theinvention relates to methods and systems for providing communicationservices based on the location of a user accessing the services.

2. Background Information

People have changed how they access and use communication services due,in large part, to the advances in personal mobile communications and theincreasing popularity of social networking. Over the last severaldecades, mobile phone technology has steadily evolved and is nowavailable in every industrialized country throughout the world. With therise of the Internet and the World Wide Web (or simply the “Web”),social networking sites have also increased in number and usage, andtoday are among the most popular sites on the Web.

Modern mobile communication networks offer a variety of devices andservices that provide both mobility and easy access to communicationservices and information. For example, mobile devices, such as smartphones and personal media players, support mobile telephony and Internetaccess in conjunction with associated application services. Further, awide range of application services are available to mobile device users,including streaming video, text messaging, instant messaging, andtraditional voice services.

Application services for mobile devices, however, are often designed asdesktop solutions later modified for use in a mobile environment. Socialnetworking applications, for example, are popular desktop applications.Social networking applications, including Web-based and desktopapplications, allow users to create and/or share content reflectingtheir interests. To aid communication between users, some socialnetworking applications allow users to create their own personalenvironment or groups. In addition, many social networking applicationsinclude tools for creating or sharing content with others that sharesimilar interests or that belong to an individual user's group orpersonal environment.

Despite these technological advances, there are several drawbacks withexisting mobile and social networking applications. For example,application services for mobile devices are often first designed asdesktop solutions and not optimized for use in a mobile environment. Inaddition, features related to mobile communication networks and socialnetworking applications have not been successfully integrated with oneanother. For instance, in a mobile environment, information associatedwith a mobile user's location is typically not a component of a socialnetwork or integrated with social networking tools. As a result, contentaccessible using a social networking application may appearundifferentiated to a mobile user as compared to a user accessing asocial network or group from a fixed location (e.g., home or office).Moreover, social networking applications lack location-relevantfunctionality to improve their usefulness for mobile users.

As a result of these and other drawbacks, there is a need for improvedsystems and methods for integrating mobile and social networkingenvironments. For example, there is a need for systems and methods thatprovide or restrict social networking or other content to a mobile userdepending on their current location. There is also a need for systemsand methods with location-relevant functionality, so that communicationservices may be offered to mobile users depending on their location.

SUMMARY

Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, there is provideda method for providing electronic communication between a user and agroup of users based on a predetermined proximity to a point ofinterest, that includes, detecting when a current location of a mobiledevice of the user is within the predetermined proximity to the point ofinterest, providing, to the mobile device of the user, a notification tojoin the electronic communication with the group of users when thecurrent location of the mobile device is detected to be within thepredetermined proximity to the point of interest, and in response to anacceptance from the user, establishing electronic communication betweenthe user and the group of users. In some embodiments, the electroniccommunication may include at least one of a chat session, textmessaging, and instant messaging. In some embodiments, the predeterminedproximity to the point of interest may include a predefined distancefrom at least one of a landmark, an event, and a current location ofanother user. In some embodiments, the predetermined proximity to thepoint of interest may be defined by a member of the group of users. Insome embodiments, establishing electronic communication may includetransmitting, from the mobile device, an anonymous call-sign prior tojoining the electronic communication with the group of users. In otherembodiments, the method may include denying access to electroniccommunication with the group of users when the user fails to provideproper identification.

Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, there is alsoprovided a method for providing a location-based chat session, thatincludes, receiving, at a host server, a chat session initializationrequest, the chat session initialization request comprising apredetermined geographic region associated with a chat session,determining a location of a mobile device relative to the predeterminedgeographic region, transferring, to the mobile device, a chat sessionnotification based on a determination that the location of the mobiledevice is within the predetermined geographic region, receiving, at thehost server, a request to join the chat session in response to receiptof the chat session notification, and granting the mobile device accessto the chat session in response to the request to join the chat session.

Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, there is alsoprovided a method for electronically providing a data feed based on alocation of a user, that includes, determining a current location of amobile device of the user, providing, when the mobile device isdetermined to be within a predetermined geographic region defined by auser's group member, a notification to the user of an availability of adata feed associated with at least one point of interest in thepredetermined geographic region, and transferring, to the mobile device,the data feed in response to an acceptance of the notification by theuser. In some embodiments, the notification may include at least one ofa visual indicator, an audible indicator, and an electronic message. Insome embodiments, the data feed may include one of an image, a videodata stream, an audio data stream, a text message, an email, and a chatsession notification. In some embodiments, the predetermined geographicregion may be defined based on a proximity to the at least one point ofinterest. In other embodiments, the at least one point of interest mayinclude at least one of a landmark, an event, or a geographic location.

Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, there is alsoprovided a method for providing a location-based data feed, thatincludes, receiving, at a host server, data uploaded from a firstdevice, wherein the data uploaded from the first device is associatedwith a location defined by a user's group member, determining whether asecond device is within a predetermined geographic region associatedwith the location, and transferring, from the host server, the datauploaded from the first device to the second device based on adetermination that that the second device is within the predeterminedgeographic region.

Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, there is alsoprovided a system for accessing a location-based data feed, thatincludes a processor configured to execute instructions for performing amethod, that includes, determining a current location of a mobile deviceof a user, receiving, when the mobile device is determined to be withina predetermined geographic region defined by a user's group member, anotification to the user of an availability of a data feed associatedwith at least one point of interest in the predetermined geographicregion, and transferring, to the mobile device, the data feed inresponse to an acceptance of the notification by the user.

Embodiments of the present invention also relate to instructionscreated, stored, accessed, or modified by processors usingcomputer-readable storage media and/or computer-readable memory.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention. Further embodiments andaspects of the invention are described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a partof this specification.

These and other embodiments are further explained below with respect tothe following figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures are described in the detailed description below:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating components of an exemplary systemenvironment for implementing embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary location-based chatsession, consistent with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary location-based data feed,consistent with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for accessing alocation-based chat session, consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for providing alocation-based chat session, consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 illustrates steps in an exemplary method for accessing alocation-based data feed consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates steps in an exemplary method for providing alocation-based data feed consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to one or more exemplaryembodiments of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating components of an exemplary system 100for implementing embodiments consistent with the present invention. Byway of example, system 100 may be implemented to provide location-basedcommunication services, such as location-based chat sessions orlocation-based data feeds. As further disclosed herein, a mobile usermay be notified of a chat session or data feed upon approaching ageographic area or a point of interest. The information or contentshared via the chat session or data feed may relate to any subject andmay be specific to a point of interest or geographic location. Access toa chat session may be unlimited or limited to a user or a group of usersassociated with a social network. In one embodiment, a location-basedfeed is made available to any user within a predetermined geographicarea.

As shown in the example of FIG. 1, system 100 comprises host server 110,data storage 112, mobile device 114, and terminal 116. To facilitatecommunication, host server 110, data storage 112, mobile device 114, andterminal 116 may be coupled to network 118 and/or connected throughcommunication links that allow information to be exchanged using, forexample, conventional communication protocols and/or data portinterfaces. Although a specific numbers of servers, mobile devices, andterminals are shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is exemplary and any numbers ofserver, mobile device, and terminal may be provided. Furthermore, thefunctions provided by one or more devices of system 100 may be combinedor substituted.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, host server 110 may be coupled toother systems (not shown) via network 118, or may directly access othersystems, data storages, or other network applications. In someembodiments, information sent over network 118 may be encrypted toensure the security of the data being transmitted. Network 118 may be ashared, public, or private network, and may be implemented through anysuitable combination of wired and/or wireless communication networks.Furthermore, network 118 may comprise a local area network (LAN), a widearea network (WAN), an intranet, and/or the Internet.

Host server 110 may comprise a computer (e.g., a personal computer,network computer, server, or mainframe computer) having one or moreprocessors (not shown) that may be selectively activated or reconfiguredby a computer program or computer-readable storage medium withprogrammed instructions. Consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention, host server 110 may comprise one or more application serversusing session information protocol (SIP) or other signaling protocols.Host server 110 may also distribute data for parallel processing by oneor more additional servers (not shown). Host server 110 may also beimplemented in a distributed network. Alternatively, host server 110 maybe specially constructed for carrying-out methods consistent withembodiments of the invention.

Host server 110 may include or utilize data storage 112 for storingprogram modules which, when executed by a processor, perform one or moreprocesses for providing a location-based chat session or alocation-based data feed. In other embodiments, data storage 112 mayalso store data associated with mobile device 114 and terminal 116. Forexample, data storage 112 may include location data associated withmobile device 114 and a predetermined geographic region received fromterminal 116 or otherwise defined by a user. Location data for mobiledevice 114 may be acquired directly from mobile device 114 or via amobile network (not shown). Data storage 112 may be one or more memorydevices that store data as well as software and may also comprise, forexample, one or more of volatile or non volatile semiconductor memories,magnetic storage, or optical storage. Although shown as separateentities in FIG. 1, host server 110 and data storage 112 may becombined. For example, host server 110 may include one or more datastorage components in addition to or instead of data storage 112.Furthermore, host server 110 and data storage 112 may directly exchangedata or exchange data via network 118.

Terminal 116 may be any type of device for communicating with at leastone of host server 110, data storage 112, and mobile device 114 overnetwork 118. For example, terminal 116 may be a personal computer,mobile communication device, or any other appropriate computing platformor device capable of exchanging data with network 118. Terminal 116 mayinclude a processor (not shown) and a memory (not shown). Furthermore,terminal 116 may execute program modules that provide one or moregraphical user interfaces (GUIs) for interacting with network resourcesand/or accessing data provided by host server 110. Alternatively, or inaddition, terminal 116 may locally execute program modules providingGUIs without accessing host server 110.

FIG. 2 is a diagram 200 illustrating an exemplary location-based chatsession, consistent with embodiments of the present invention. Althoughthe exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 is described with reference to chatsessions, it will be appreciated that other forms of electroniccommunication, such as instant messaging, text messaging and voicecommunication, may be provided. Consistent with embodiments of theinvention, a chat session may include one of several methods ofcommunicating over the Internet. For example, a chat session may includereal-time communication between a user and another user. A chat sessionmay also include communication between a user and many usersparticipating in a group chat session. In such a case, group chatsession participants may be associated as members of a user's group. Insome cases, membership in a user's group may be open to the public. Inother cases membership may configured by a chat session initiator tolimit access based on user name, age, geography, or other conditions. Insome embodiments, a chat session initiator may include a user or auser's group member. Communication formats between chat sessionparticipants may include, but not limited to, text, audio, video, andimages.

Consistent with embodiments of the invention, the current location of auser may be used as a criterion for starting or entering a chat session.The chat session may be controlled or restricted by a chat sessioninitiator. Among other parameters, the chat session initiator may definea geographic area, such that only users that are within the geographicarea will be able to access the chat session. The geographic area may bedefined as a designated distance away from a point of interest or acurrent location of the chat session initiator. Once created, otherusers may access a chat upon receiving a notification to join the chatsession or by searching for a nearby chat session. Search results may bepresented to a user as a list of chat sessions or chatroom names and thenumber of participants (see examples presented in FIG. 2). Otherfeatures may be provided, such as a login or authentication check tovalidate that user is authorized to join a chat session.

As shown in the example of FIG. 2, diagram 200 includes first chatsession initiator 202 located at first location 206 and a second chatsession initiator 214 located at a second location 218. First chatsession initiator 202 may establish a location-based chat sessionassociated with a predetermined geographic region related to firstlocation 206. For example, first chat session initiator 202 mayinitialize chat session 1 210 and chat session 2 212 associated withpredetermined geographic region zone A 204. In a similar manner, secondchat session initiator 214 may initialize chat session 3 222 associatedwith predetermined geographic region zone B 216.

Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, a device within apredetermined geographic region may access an associated location-basedchat session. In some embodiments, a device may be a terminal (notshown), including a personal computer, or other like devices capable ofcommunicating with host server 110. In other embodiments, a device maybe a mobile communication device, such as mobile device 114. Mobiledevice 114, may include a smart phone, personal media player, or othersimilar device. Mobile device 114, may also include mobile userinterface 224 configured to display information received from network118, devices coupled to network 118, other wired or wirelesscommunication sources, or computer-readable storage media. As shown inFIG. 2, mobile user interface 224 may include a selection of one or morechat sessions based on the current location of mobile device 114. Mobiledevice 114 may be located within predefined geographic regions zone A204 and zone B 216. Notifications of chat sessions associated with zoneA 204 and zone B 216 may be received by mobile device 114 and displayedon mobile user interface 224. As illustrated in FIG. 2, mobile userinterface 224 may include chat session notifications corresponding tochat session 1 210, chat session 2 212, and chat session 3 222. Chatsession notification may include a visual indicator as shown in FIG. 2,and audible indicator, electronic message, or similar indicator.

In embodiments consistent with the present invention, a predeterminedgeographic region associated with a location-based chat session mayinclude, but is not limited to, a point of interest, a region configuredbased on proximity to a point of interest, and a distance away from achat session initiator. For example, zone A 204 may be defined by firstchat session initiator 202 as first distance 208 from first location206. A first distance 208 may be defined by a chat session initiatorusing a user interface on a terminal or mobile computing device capableof communicating with host server 110. The user interface may allow auser, such as chat session initiator, to enter first distance 208 alongwith other chat session initiation information. Other chat sessioninitiation information may include, but is not limited to, a currentlocation of the chat session initiator, a chat session name, chatsession permissions, and/or similar information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram 300 of an exemplary location-based data feed,consistent with embodiments of the present invention. The data feed maycomprise any form of an electronic data feed, such as text, an image,and streaming content (audio and/or video).

Consistent with embodiments of the invention, a location-based data feedmay provide users with information, which is specific or relevant to thecurrent location of the user. Such information may include pictures,videos, comments and other content uploaded by other users, such asmembers of a user's group or social network or members of the generalpublic. Uploaded content may be location tagged within a specificgeographic region and include, for example, nearby event listings oravailable chat sessions. The specific geographic region may be defined,for example, relative to a point of interest or a predetermined radiusfrom the current location of a user.

As shown in the example of FIG. 3, diagram 300 includes predeterminedgeographic region zone C 308, predetermined geographic region zone D320, location-based data feeds 304, 314, and 316, and mobile device 114.Location-based data feeds 304, 314, and 316 may include location-taggedinformation uploaded to host server 110 by member 1 302 and member 2312, respectively. As disclosed herein, a location-based data feed mayinclude an image, a video data stream, an audio data stream, or anelectronic message, such as a text message or an email. In otherembodiments, a location-based data feed may also include commentsuploaded from users that have accessed a particular location-based datafeed.

In some embodiments consistent with the present invention, apredetermined geographic region associated with a location-based datafeed may include, but is not limited to, a point of interest and aregion configured based on proximity to a point of interest. Forexample, zone C 308 may be defined by member 1 302 as first distance 310from location C 306. In some embodiments, first distance 310 may set bymember 1 302 using a user interface on a terminal or mobile computingdevice capable of communicating with host server 110. For example,member 1 302 may enter first distance 310 relative to a currentlocation, such as location C 306. In other embodiments, member 1 302 mayenter first distance 310 relative to a point of interest or othergeographic reference point. A point of interest may include a landmark,an event, a geographic location, or the like. In other embodiments,member 1 302 may enter first distance 310 in conjunction uploadinglocation-based data feed 304.

Member 2 312 may configure predetermined geographic region zone D 320 ina similar manner. For example, member 2 312 may enter second distance322 relative to a current location, such as location D 318. In otherembodiments, member 2 312 may enter second distance 322 relative to apoint of interest or other geographic reference point. In otherembodiments, member 2 312 may enter second distance 310 in conjunctionwith uploading location-based data feeds 314 and 316.

As shown in FIG. 3, mobile device 114 may include mobile user interface224 as previously described. Consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention, mobile user interface 224 may include a selection of one ormore location-based data feeds based on the current location of mobiledevice 114. For example, mobile device 114 may be located withinpredetermined geographic regions zone C 308 and zone D 320.Location-based data feeds associated with zone C 308 and zone D 320 maybe received by mobile device 114 and displayed on mobile user interface224. As illustrated in FIG. 3, mobile user interface 224 may includelocation-based data feeds corresponding to first data feed 304, seconddata feed 314, and third data feed 316. Mobile user interface 224 mayalso include a notification associated with particular location-baseddata feed. Notifications may be displayed on mobile user interface 224using a visual indicator, an audible indicator, electronic message, orsimilar indicator.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart 400 of an exemplary method for accessing alocation-based chat session, consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention. By way of example, the exemplary method of FIG. 4 may beimplemented with mobile device 114 when located in predeterminedgeographic regions zone A 204 or zone B 216, as illustrated in FIG. 2.As will be appreciated, the method of FIG. 4 may be adapted for othertypes of electronic communication and, therefore, is not limited to chatsessions.

In step 402, a mobile device may transfer its current location. Forexample, mobile device 114 may transfer its current location to hostserver 110 coupled to network 118. In some embodiments, the currentlocation of mobile device 114 may be provided automatically to hostserver 110 via a mobile communication network (e.g., network 118 or aseparate network connected thereto) within which mobile device 114 isoperating or roaming. In other embodiments, the current location of amobile device may be entered using a menu selection on a user interfaceassociated with the mobile device. The menu selection, in someembodiments, may include location information obtained automaticallyfrom a GPS source or other communication transmitters associated withthe mobile device. Alternatively, the menu selection may also includecurrent location information previously stored on storage device 112 andreceived from host server 110. For example, the previously storedcurrent location may be determined when the mobile user initiatescommunication with host server 110 using mobile device 114. Thedetermination may be made automatically based on information receivedfrom equipment associated with network 118 or, a GPS source or othercommunication transmitters associated with mobile device 114. In otherembodiments, the determination may be made manually. For example, duringa manual determination, host server 110 may request location informationfrom mobile device 114 via network 118. In some embodiments, the requestmay be a voice prompt or other audible prompt received by mobile device114. In other embodiments, the request may include a visual prompt onmobile user interface 224, such as a text message, instant message,email, or other similar indicator. A mobile user, in response to theprompt, may use mobile user interface 224 to enter the current locationof mobile device 114. The current location may be entered in severalformats, such as a street address, latitude-longitude, other geographicreference format. Under either embodiment, the current locationinformation may be received by host server 110 and stored on to datastorage 112 or other storage media accessible by host server 110.

In step 404, a chat session notification may be received by a mobiledevice when the current location of the mobile device is within apredetermined geographic region. For example, mobile device 114 mayreceive a notification of an available chat session based on thedetermination of the current location of mobile device 114. For example,as shown in FIG. 2, mobile device 114 receives chat sessionnotifications based on its current location and proximity topredetermined geographic regions. Using mobile user interface 224, chatsession notifications may be viewed on mobile device 114. In someembodiments, chat session notifications may also include audibleindicators, which may or may not include an associated visual indicatordisplayed on mobile user interface 224. In other embodiments, a receivedchat session notification may also be based on a user's group permissiondefined by the chat session initiator. For example, the chat sessioninitiator may configure a notification associated with a chat session tobe viewable by members of one or more user's groups within apredetermined geographic area.

In step 406, communication may be established between the mobile deviceand a chat session associated with a particular chat sessionnotification. In some embodiments, communication may be established inresponse to selecting a received chat session indicator. A received chatsession notification may be selected using mobile user interface 224.For example, using mobile user interface 224, a mobile user may selectan icon or a specific notification from a list of availablenotifications. Activation may also include responding to an electronicmessage, such as an email, text message, instant message or similarcommunication. The response may include an anonymous call-sign (i.e.,not a user's screen name or other recognized name) associated with themobile device user to maintain privacy. In some embodiments, ananonymous call sign for each location-based chat session member may beincluded in the chat session notification. Accordingly, the identity ofparticipants associated with a particular chat session may be betterprotected. In other embodiments, selection may occur automatically basedon membership in a particular user's group. For example, mobile device114 may be associated with a particular user's group having accesspermission to a particular location-based chat session. In someembodiments, a chat session initiator may configure access permission toa particular location-based chat session based on membership in aparticular user's group. Initialization information, including accesspermissions, may be provided to host server 110 through network 118 by achat session initiator. Host server 110 may process the initializationinformation and establish communication with a mobile device byassociating specified access permissions with user's group members.User's group membership information may be previously stored in datastorage 112 or in a combination of storage media accessible by hostserver 110.

In one embodiment, proper age limitations and/or other restrictions maybe set for chat sessions. For example, when a user under 18 creates achat session, only others that are under 18 may access the chat.Similarly, when a user that is 18 or older creates a chat session, onlyusers that are at least 18 may be permitted to join that chat session.Additional identification requirements may be implemented to grant orrestrict access when establishing a chat session. For example, when auser fails to provide proper identification when attempting to access anelectronic communication session, such as a chat session, access to thecommunication session may be denied.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart 500 of an exemplary method for providing alocation-based chat session, consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention. For example, the method may be implemented by first andsecond chat initiators 202 and 214, respectively, to providelocation-based chat sessions in predetermined geographic regions zone A204 or zone B 216, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

In step 502, a chat session initialization request may be received at ahost server to establish a location-based a chat session. For example,host server 110 may receive a chat session initialization request fromfirst chat session initiator 202. In some embodiments, the chat sessioninitialization request may include a predetermined geographic areaassociated with a chat session. The predetermined geographic area mayinclude a point of interest. A point of interest may include a landmark,an event, or a geographic location. The predetermined geographic regionmay also include a region configured based on proximity to the point ofinterest or a distance from the chat session initiator. For example,predetermined geographic region zone A 204 may be defined by first chatsession initiator 202 as first distance 208 from location 206.Similarly, predetermined geographic region zone B 216 may be defined assecond distance 220 from location 218. In other embodiments, the chatsession initialization request may further include a chat session name,a chat session size limit, and/or chat session permission settings. Thenetwork may pass the chat session initialization request to the hostserver which creates a chat session using the parameters specified bythe chat session initiator. The chat session may be established on theserver and may be accessible by other users meeting the predefinedcriteria set forth in the chat session initialization request and inaccordance with steps 504, 506, 508, and 510 described below.

In step 504, the location of a mobile device accessing a location-basedchat session may be determined relative to a predetermined geographicregion. In some embodiments, a host server may receive geo-location dataassociated with a mobile device from the mobile device. For example,host server 110 may receive geo-location data associated with mobiledevice 114 in response to a query transmitted through network 118. Inother embodiments, host server 110 may receive previously storedgeo-location data associated with mobile device 114 from data storage112 or other equipment coupled to network 118. In some embodiments,geo-location data may include GPS coordinate data, latitude-longitudedata, or a physical address. Upon receiving geo-location data associatedwith a mobile device, host server 110 may compare the geo-location datawith the predetermined geographic region. Based on the comparison, hostserver 110 may determine whether mobile device 114 is located within apredetermined geographic region associated with a location-based chatsession.

In step 506, a chat session notification may be transferred to a mobiledevice based on the determination in step 504. For example, when mobiledevice 114 is located within either predetermined geographic region zoneA 204 or zone B 216, host server 110 may transfer associated chatsession notifications. Host server 110 may transfer a chat sessionnotification to mobile device 114 using networking equipment (not shown)coupled to network 118. In some embodiments, chat session notificationmay include visual indicator, an audible indicator, or an electronicmessage. In one embodiment, the notification includes an invitation tojoin the chat session, along with information identifying the chatsession and any restrictions related thereto.

In step 508, a host server may receive a request to join alocation-based chat session from a mobile device. For example, hostserver 110 may receive a request to join location-based chat session 1210 from mobile device 114. In some embodiments, the request may bereceived in response to selecting a chat session notification receivedby mobile device 114. In some embodiments, the request may includeinformation associated with mobile device 114, such as user's groupmembership, an anonymous call sign, or permission data. In someembodiments, permission data may include age or content restrictions.

In step 510, a host server may grant access to a location-based chatsession in response to a request described in step 508. For example,host server 110 may process a request from mobile device 114 to join alocation-based chat session. Processing may include comparing at leastone of permission data, user's group data, or other data received from amobile device with chat session initialization data provided by the chatsession initiator. Based on a valid comparison, a host server mayprovide a mobile device located within a predetermined geographic regionaccess to the associated location-based chat session. A valid comparisonmay include compliance with permission data, such as an age requirementor membership in a required user's group.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart 600 of an exemplary method for accessing alocation-based data feed, consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention. By way of example, the exemplary method of FIG. 6 may beimplemented by mobile device 114 when located in predeterminedgeographic regions zone C 308 or zone D 320, as illustrated in FIG. 3.As will be appreciated, the example of FIG. 6 is not limited to datafeeds, and may be adapted for other types electronic content.

In step 602, a mobile device may transfer its current location. Forexample, mobile device 114 may transfer its current location to hostserver 110 coupled to network 118. By providing a current location ofmobile device 114, host server may determine which location-based datafeeds may be accessed by mobile device 114. In some embodiments, thecurrent location of mobile device 114 may be provided automatically tohost server 110 via a mobile communication network (e.g., network 118 ora separate network connected thereto) within which mobile device 114 isoperating or roaming. In other embodiments, the current location of amobile device may be entered using a menu selection on a user interfaceassociated with the mobile device. The menu selection, in someembodiments, may include location information obtained automaticallyfrom a GPS source or other communication transmitters associated themobile device. Alternatively, the menu selection may also includecurrent location information previously stored. For example, storagedevice 112 may store previously received current location informationfrom host server 110. In some cases, the previously stored currentlocation may be determined when the mobile user initiates communicationwith host server 110 using mobile device 114. The determination may bemade automatically based on information received from equipmentassociated with network 118, such as triangulation data based on signalstrength. An automatic determination may also be made based on GPSsources or other transmitters associated with mobile device 114 suitableto transmit geo-location information. In other embodiments, thedetermination may be made manually. For example, during a manualdetermination, host server 110 may request location information frommobile device 114 via network 118. In some embodiments, the request maybe a voice prompt or other audible prompt received by mobile device 114.In other embodiments, the request may include a visual prompt on mobileuser interface 224, such as a text message, an instant message, anemail, other similar indicator. A mobile user, in response to theprompt, may use mobile user interface 224 to enter the current locationof mobile device 114. The current location may be entered in severalformats, such as a street address, latitude-longitude, other geographicreference formats. In turn, the current location information may bereceived by host server 110 and stored on to data storage 112.

In step 604, a notification of a location-based data feed may bereceived by a mobile device when the current location of the mobiledevice is within a predetermined geographic area. For example, mobiledevice 114 may receive a notification of an available location-baseddata feed based on the determination of the current location of mobiledevice 114. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, mobile device 114 mayreceive location-based data feed notifications based on a predeterminedgeographic region associated with its current location. Using mobileuser interface 224, a location-based data feed notification may beviewed on mobile device 114. In some embodiments, location-based datafeed notifications may also include audible indicators, which may or maynot include an associated visual indicator displayed on mobile userinterface 224. In other embodiments, a received location-based data feednotification may also be based on a user's group permission defined bythe user that uploaded the data feed.

In certain embodiments, a user may be required to pre-register or opt-into receive notifications concerning location-based feeds. In otherwords, notifications will not be sent or provided in an interruptivemanner unless the user has opt-in ahead of time. As a result, a user mayrequest to be alerted when there are feeds present relative to theircurrent location, but such notifications will not be sent as a defaultunless the user has setup for such notifications. In addition, usersthat have registered for notifications may also be required to request alocation-based data feed before viewing or otherwise accessing thecontent.

Referring again to the example of FIG. 6, in step 606 a mobile devicemay access a location-based data feed associated with a predeterminedgeographic region. In some embodiments, communication may be establishedin response to selecting a received location-based data feednotification. For example, a location-based data feed notificationreceived by mobile device 114 may be selected using mobile userinterface 224. Selection may include selecting an icon or a specificnotification from a list of available notifications displayed on mobileuser interface 224. Selection may also include responding to anelectronic message, such as an email, a text message, an instant messageor similar communication. In some embodiments, selection may occurautomatically based on membership in a particular user's group. Forexample, mobile device 114 may be associated with a particular user'sgroup having access permission to a particular location-based data feed.

In some embodiments, a user posting the location-based data feed mayconfigure access requirements to a particular location-based data feedbased on membership in a particular user's group. For example, member 1302 may set access requirements when uploading location-based data feed304. In turn, the access requirements may be provided to host server 110through network 118. Host server 110 may process the access requirementsand establish communication with a mobile device by associatingspecified access permissions with user's group members. User's groupmembership information may be previously stored in data storage 112 orin a combination of storage media accessible by host server 110.

In some embodiments, a user accessing a location-based data feed mayalso upload comments about the data feed. Comments may be uploaded froma receiving device to a host server via network 118. Comments may beidentified by a user name, anonymous call-sign, or the like associatedwith the receiving device user.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart 700 of an exemplary method for providing alocation-based data feed, consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention. For example, the exemplary method of FIG. 7 may beimplemented by first and second members 302 and 312, respectively, toprovide location-based data feeds in predetermined geographic regionszone C 308 or zone D 320, as shown in FIG. 3.

In step 702, a location-based data feed may be uploaded from a firstdevice to a host server. For example, host server 110 may receivelocation-based data feed 304 from first member 302 at location C 306.The network may pass location-based data feed 304 to host server 110using parameters specified by first member 302. Location-based data feed304 may be established on host server 110 and may be accessible by otherusers based on the parameters specified by first member 302 and inaccordance with steps 704 and 706 described below. In some embodiments,location-based data feed 304 may be uploaded using a terminal or othercomputing device (not shown) capable of communicating with host server110. Similarly, location-based data feeds 314 and 316 may be uploaded tohost server 110 by member 2 312 at location D 318. In some embodiments,locations C 306 and D 318 may include any one of a landmark, an event,or a geographic location. Consistent with embodiments of the presentinvention, a location-based data feed may include content and associatedlocation information. Content may include multimedia data, such as oneor a combination of images, video, audio, and text. Text may includecomments associated with image, video, or audio. Location informationmay include geo-location data corresponding to the location of thedevice used to upload the data feed. For example, location-based datafeed 304 may include video content and geo-location data referencinglocation C 306. In some embodiments, geo-location data may include anyone or a combination of GPS data, latitude-longitude coordinates, andphysical address data. Location information may also include,predetermined geographic region associated with the geo-location data.As previously discussed, the predetermined geographic region maydetermine the area in which a particular location-based data feed may beaccessed by a receiving device. For example, in some embodiments, apredetermined geographic region may be configured based on proximity tothe location of a user when a location-based data feed is uploaded to ahost server. In other embodiments, a predetermined geographic region maybe configured based on proximity to a point of interest. A point ofinterest may include a landmark, an event, or a geographic location. Forexample, predetermined geographic region zone C 308 may be defined bymember 1 302 as first distance 310 from location C 306. Similarly,predetermined geographic region zone D 318 may be defined by member 2312 as second distance 322 from location D 318.

In other embodiments, a location-based data feed may also include a timestamp data. A time stamp associated with a location-based data feed mayindicate when the data feed was received by a host server. In otherembodiments, a time stamp may indicate when the data feed wastransmitted by a terminal or mobile device used to upload the data feed.The time stamp may be based on an internal time source associated withhost server 110. Alternatively, a time source may be based on anexternal source associated with other equipment coupled to network 118,such as a cesium clock source.

In step 704, a determination is made whether a receiving device islocated within a predetermined geographic region. In some embodiments, ahost server may receive geo-location data associated with a receivingdevice from the receiving device. A receiving device may include aterminal (not shown) or other computing device capable of communicatingwith host server 110. For example, host server 110 may receivegeo-location data associated with mobile device 114 in response to aquery transmitted through network 118. In some embodiments, geo-locationdata may include GPS coordinate data, latitude-longitude data, or aphysical address. Upon receiving geo-location data associated thereceiving device, host server 110 may compare the geo-location data withthe predetermined geographic region. Based on the comparison, hostserver 110 may determine whether the location of receiving device iswithin the predetermined geographic region.

In step 706, a host server may transfer a location-based data feed to areceiving device based on the determination in step 704. For example,when mobile device 114 is located within either predetermined geographicregion zone C 308 or zone D 320, host server 110 may transfer associatedlocation-based data feeds. Host server 110 may transfer a location-baseddata feed to mobile device 114 using networking equipment (not shown)coupled to network 118.

Other embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practiceof one or more embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. It isintended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplaryonly, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated bythe following claims.

In the preceding specification, various embodiments have been describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, beevident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, andadditional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from thebroader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow.The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in anillustrative rather than restrictive sense. It is intended that thespecification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a truescope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the followingclaims.

1.-29. (canceled)
 30. A method for providing electronic communication,the method being performed by one or more processors and comprising:receiving information indicating a plurality of users belonging to acommunication group; receiving an identification of a geographic region;receiving a current location associated with a first mobile device of afirst user of the plurality of users belonging to the communicationgroup; providing, to the first mobile device, a notification to join agroup electronic communication session with the plurality of users whenthe current location associated with the first mobile device isdetermined to be within the geographic region; and enabling the firstmobile device to participate in the group electronic communicationsession by automatically establishing communication between the firstmobile device and a second mobile device of a second user of theplurality of users.
 31. The method of claim 30 further comprising:determining whether there is permission for any one of the plurality ofusers to participate in the group electronic communication session. 32.The method of claim 30 wherein the group electronic communicationsession includes at least one of a chat session, text messaging, andinstant messaging.
 33. The method of claim 30 wherein the receivedcurrent location comprises at least one of GPS data, latitude-longitudecoordinates, and physical address.
 34. The method of claim 30 whereinthe identification of the geographic region comprises at least one of alandmark, an event, and a current location of another user.
 35. Themethod of claim 30 wherein providing the notification to join the groupelectronic communication session includes transmitting an anonymouscall-sign.
 36. The method of claim 30, further comprising: denyingaccess to the group electronic communication session when the firstmobile device fails to provide proper identification information.
 37. Anelectronic apparatus, comprising: a memory device that stores a set ofinstructions; and at least one processor that executes the set ofinstructions to: receive information indicating a plurality of usersbelonging to a communication group; receive an identification of ageographic region; receive a current location associated with a firstmobile device of a first user of the plurality of users belonging to thecommunication group; provide, to the first mobile device, a notificationto join a group electronic communication session with the plurality ofusers when the current location associated with the first mobile deviceis determined to be within the geographic region; and enable the firstmobile device to participate in the group electronic communicationsession by automatically establishing communication between the firstmobile device and a second mobile device of a second user of theplurality of users.
 38. The electronic apparatus of claim 37 wherein theat least one processor further executes the set of instructions to:determine whether there is permission for any one of the plurality ofusers to participate in the group electronic communication session. 39.The electronic apparatus of claim 37 wherein the electroniccommunication session includes at least one of a chat session, textmessaging, and instant messaging.
 40. The electronic apparatus of claim37 wherein the received current location comprises at least one of GPSdata, latitude-longitude coordinates, and physical address.
 41. Theelectronic apparatus of claim 37 wherein the identification of thegeographic region comprises at least one of a landmark, an event, and acurrent location of another user.
 42. The electronic apparatus of claim37 wherein providing the notification to join the group electroniccommunication session includes transmitting an anonymous call-sign. 43.The electronic apparatus of claim 37, wherein the at least one processorfurther executes the set of instructions to: deny access to the groupelectronic communication session when the first mobile device fails toprovide proper identification information.
 44. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium encoded with a set of instructions thatwhen executed by at least one processor, cause the at least oneprocessor to perform a method comprising: receiving informationindicating a plurality of users belonging to a communication group;receiving an identification of a geographic region; receiving a currentlocation associated with a first mobile device of a first user of theplurality of users identified in the received user list; providing, tothe first mobile device, a notification to join a group electroniccommunication session with the plurality of users when the currentlocation associated with the mobile device is determined to be withinthe geographic region; and enabling the first mobile device toparticipate in the group electronic communication session byautomatically establishing communication between the first mobile deviceand a second mobile device of a second user of the plurality of users.45. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 44wherein the electronic communication session includes at least one of achat session, text messaging, and instant messaging.
 46. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 44 wherein theidentification of the geographic region comprises at least one of alandmark, an event, and a current location of another user.
 47. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 44, whereinproviding the notification to join the group electronic communicationsession includes transmitting an anonymous call-sign.
 48. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 44, wherein theset of instructions further cause the at least one processor to: denyaccess to the group electronic communication session when the firstmobile device fails to provide proper identification information.